A Letter from the Past – Florence Darling to Bertha Huber, 1934

Introduction

Family letters often provide insights that census records and vital statistics cannot capture. They reveal the daily rhythms of life—health struggles, household chores, and the bonds of family and friendship. This letter, written by Florence Darling to Bertha Huber on September 3, 1934, offers such a glimpse into family concerns during the 1930s. A separate note that accompanied the letter mentions that Florence died the following month (October 5, 1934) in Pittsburgh. Florence was 27 years old.

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Letter Transcription

Sept. 3, 1934
423 Charles St,
Pitts(10) Pa.

Dear mother:

Received your letter with the $2.00. Thanks loads. I am going to buy Shirley’s winter stockings and two pairs of underwear. I’m not buying any more toys because Christmas isn’t far away & Betty usually buys toys for Christmas. Anyway she has plenty to keep her going.

I’ve had two [decaying] teeth pulled in two weeks. My face looked like a football – nice. They are getting on O.K. now. It effected my heart pretty bad,

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which reminds me Mrs. Walsh was telling me she is subject to gravel in the kidneys and keeps them dissolved with olive oil – have you ever tried it. She says a tablespoon 3 times a day.

It sounds great to hear you are getting electric it will reduce your labor loads. I’m so glad you are getting a washer. I think of you every wash day and the way you have to rub clothes. I just wouldn’t like any clean clothes if I had to do it. I pay only $3.00 per month on mine which I figure no one would do four washings for.

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I’ve just told Shirley she can print something for you – she thinks it’s great fun.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU GRANDMA
Shirley

Can you read it? Not so bad for a four year old do you think? I spend quite a lot of time teaching her but I get a kick out of such a little mite doing such things. She also reads small words. Very much interested in the funny papers.

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Did I tell you Gerry expects a baby soon. She was four months when she married you know – A shotgun wedding. She married a nice fellow. He’s a chef [unreadable].

Well she’s been real nice to me since I’ve been married.

It’s rather cool tonite. I dread winter. I wish I could go south. I need a winter coat. I’m trying to figure out how to get [unreadable]. I could make quite cheap.

Uncle Harold is home again out of work of course things are always more slack during the summer I think. It’s been rather slack

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too for about 6 weeks but with cool weather coming again it will O.K. I think. Next spring we are going to try & get a place in the country.

Well do write soon & let me know how you like electricity.

With love,
F.

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What the letter and note tell us:

• Three generations of family identified:
  • Bertha Huber – Matriarch – getting electricity and a washing machine.
  • Florence Darling – 27-year-old daughter & author of the letter.
  • Shirley [Darling] – Four-year-old daughter of Florence
• Uncle Harold – Out of work – [Must be Florence’s husband’s uncle Harold Lane.]
• Mrs. Walsh – Unknown. [Probably a friend.]
• Gerry – Unknown – pregnant, married to a chef. [Probably a friend.]

Locations

• Florence lived at 423 Charles Street, Pittsburgh, PA in September 1934.